Watching Tv Shows like Barney at Lunch Time

I would talk to the director/principal if the teacher isn't receptive. Pre-recorded shows have no place in a lunch room! Studies have shown that people who watch TV while they eat tend to over eat and gain weight. I would do some google research and print some stuff out to bring in about not watching TV while eating. And since when are Barney, Clifford and Seasame St. religious shows?! There are much better, more active ways to teach sharing etc. Personally, I would not tolerate it at all and probably would pull her from the school if they were not willing to ...do their jobs instead of using TV shows to do it for them.

I've never heard of kids watching TV every day at school. Yes, on special occasion, if it's rainy and they can't play outside or something. But at lunchtime? That's weird. Maybe bring it up to the director, are other moms aware? I would not like that at all.

good luck!

Lunch should be a social time for the kids. Maybe you could request to have the tv on during lunch on Fridays as a special treat.

In fact, many of the schools I've gone to suggest that the teachers talk with the students during lunch - if they eat in the same room.

Today, kids get plenty of tv time at home!

Kristen Colello

TV watching at meal time is more a health concern than a "moral" or whatever issue. It is a proven fact that if you watch tv while you eat people tend to overeat and not stop when they are full. If she is getting a set amount of food then she must stop when she reaches the end so she can't "binge". If she normally doesn't eat her whole lunch and now does she may be overeating. You know how much she normally eats so watch and see if it changes. A.

Maybe in that teachers mind it's the best way to get the kids to sit still and eat. It's not a good tool for a teacher though. I would speak with the director and let him or her know your concerns. Ask some of the other parents how they feel about it as well. When you speak to the director besure and mention the fact that you planned to keep your daughter in that school as the years progress for her primary education, but that the tv issue is making you rethink that decision. It could make a huge difference considering they will want your money!!!

If they have no other time to watch TV they shouldn't watch it at all. I worked in a school and the only time we would show anything on the tv were informational and learning videos unless we were rewarding the kids for good work with a kid friendly movie. It definitely was NOT an everyday occurance. Sounds to me like they are trying to "keep the kids quite" during lunchtime.

You have every right to be upset - I would discuss this with the teacher and principal. If you can not come to a resolution in your favor I would definitely consider moving your daughter again.

I can't speak for all preschools, but I know ours doesn't even have a tv on the premises, and that's how I like it. I think you're right to question their philosophy - an occassional video is one thing, but if they want to discuss themes, why not do it after reading a story (which engages the children's brains much better than tv/video). I agree with the other moms that this is not appropriate, and I wish you luck changing the policy. Sounds like the school doesn't seem to mind, but you won't know until you speak with the adminstrators.

Hi M.,
I'm a high school teacher and the only reason teachers pop in movies during class is because they don't feel like teaching (or as they put it "babysitting"). I only advocate movie watching if we finished a novel in class and the adaptation is applicable to a lesson I want to connect with the novel. Other than that there should be NO REASON to have children watch TV in school. It sounds like this teacher doesn't feel like giving her students her full attention and is using their lunch time as a way to have a break herself. It is rough to be a teacher and very exhausting, but teachers are given specified breaks throughout the day. Her school day is also 8-2 which is a great schedule for a teacher to have. No, sorry to say it M. but it sounds like she's feeding you a line. Why can't she teach these morals and themes herself? There are lots of creative activities she could invent to teach sharing.

I'm sorry now, I'm angry too! She shouldn't be playing these programs every day! I've had students coming from classes where they weren't given homework or their teachers showed a lot of movies and they had a hard time adjusting to a workload. This is a bad habit to teach to children, especially children so young! Some of your daughters classmates might think that when you go to school, you get to watch TV everyday. Though some parents might think I'm over-reacting, I've had years of experience teaching children who have come from homes or schools where they had no structure and were "socially" promoted or performed below grade level. There were lots of factors involved but one of them was that they were exposed more to television than books. So, yes I'm making a big deal out of this, especially since this is a Catholic School which you contribute your household earnings to. I would speak to the Principal or hold a parent teacher meeting. If that doesn't work get other parents involved. Daily TV watching in school is unacceptable!

I would be rather annoyed if my child was watching TV at school as well, especially during lunch time. I'm sorry if this sounds harsh but I find it rather lazy actually! I would absolutely be concerned and you have every right to voice your opinion. I understand sometimes the kids are allowed movies in school- but usually as priveleges, like movie parties if they've won something. Other than that, you are not being over the top and I'd be just as peeved! Keep us posted on how you handle this!
Lynsey

No, I agree with you M.. It sounds to me that the teacher is using the TV to help her out from doing anything. She shouldn't be in that field if that is how she wants to do it. TV time during lunch is a no-no in my opinion and also I feel that tv during school hours especially for little and younger children....is a no-no....again that is my opinion. I would do something about and soon to make sure that she isn't exposed to TV all the time and they should be doing other things activity wis coloring, craft and moving to learn things...not watching TV. That annoys me to think that this teacher is doing that to make it easy and less work for herself!!! Let us know how you made out? Have you thought about home-schooling?

Do all the other mothers feel know about this?? Get all the mothers together to protest the teacher doing this. I do let my daughter watch TV in moderation, but would never think a school would allow TV, especially during lunch. That is plain wrong and needs to be addressed. I wouldn't let it go if I were you. School and TV do NOT go together.

Hi M., I am a mom of 3 kids ages 9,6, & 19 months. We LOVE Barney & the great lessons the kids learn. My kids were in private school & no didn't watch tv at school. If it bothers you this much, contact the principal & have a face to face meeting with her. Its ok to be concerned, talk to the teachers & stay on top of things. At this age, your daughter needs to feel grounded & safe. If this is where your daughter will attend long-term just be couteous to the teacher & principal with your concerns. Good luck!!

from my own expereince sometimes lunch time tv is not when they eat it is a place to gather the children in one place and to take a break until the others are done. Otherwise, if you can imagine twenty 4 yr olds sitting at a table with nothing to do. Probably not fun. I am sure there other ways to keep the children occupied but I would talk to someone first. If you feel that strongly about it after, you might have to find another school. Whatever you do please don't make your child sit out while the others watch. Good luck

K.

Just do not send your child to discovery world, union beach. All they do is sit and watch videos all day , the unruly children are strapped in chairs. It sounds like you choose a good school. Don't disrupt the childs routine again.

I read through a few responses. I understand the one regarding this may be the only break that the teacher gets and it's a good thing to bring up because it goes from the teachers perspective. But, then I think - this is the teacher's JOB. She gets paid for this and if she can't get a break, then she needs to discuss that with the higher ups in my opinion. In NYS, the law requires a 30 minute break AFTER 6 hours of work. Not before, not during. I understand these kids are alot to handle, but again - it's her job, and what she chose to do.

Having said that - I have a 2 yo. She is allowed maybe 30 minutes with the babysitter in the morning. I may put something on for her while I cook dinner - usually if she is really tired. But more and more, she helps ("helps") w/ dinner and if she's watching something, usually my husband is there and they talk about it during. I say this to emphasize that I am not completely on the side of no TV.

BUT, I am on the side of no TV at school. There were a few things brought up - kids overeat while watching TV. It is entrancing, not stimulating. It is great that they talk about it after, but I think there are many other things that they can do during lunch. This is one of those things that my husband would say "let it go Meliss" and think I was overreacting, but I don't think you are to feel this way. Sure - offer to do something at school during lunch - talk to the other parents - but in all honesty - you are paying for your child to go to school and learn - not watch TV. There was a study I just saw that said the average 60 year old has watched 15 YEARS of television. Your daughter will have plenty of time to accrue her 15 years - I agree that school is not the place to add the time on!! Every once in a while as a treat - when it rains, if they interact with the video, etc, etc. But everyday as a general rule - not so much in my book.

Good luck!

Oh - and rules are different in school - and that's ok too. Ironically, it's usually school that's a little bit stricter than at home - not more lenient!!!!!!! LOL

M.,

I have been fighting the battle of tv in school from 1st grade up thru 7th grade. (I start with the teacher, then pricipal, and then superintendent).

It has been my experience that the teachers who show movies are only doing so because they are lazy. Mealtime is not a time to watch tv. It's one of the worst habits a child can develope.

I would recommend talking to some of the other parents and hear their opinions. Maybe some of them have already complained, maybe some will want the policy changed. After you've done some research, schedule a meeting with the principal. If you don't have any sucess, I would seriously consider changing schools.

It's your right as a parent to raise your daughter the way you want to. The fact that you are questioning the school's philosophy makes me think that this is definitely too important to just give up on. I think you are right and kids this age should not be watching that much TV anyway, especially at meal times. This teaches kids not to be conscious of what they are eating and to just mindlessly graze without thinking about whether or not they are still hungry. Seems like the teachers in the class are being lazy. Try talking to the principal or someone else higher up about it. Do you know anyone else who has their kids there that you can enlist to support you? I would get some studies from the library or online about the effects of TV viewing on young children and take this information to the pricipal or someone else who is in charge of policy and see if it can be changed. If not, I think it's fine to change your daughter back. Just be sure to do it within the next few weeks so it's not disruptive to her.

Maybe you could volunteer to set up a rotation of parents to read the class a story during lunch. It would be a positive way of showing that parents don't want TV, they'll still have a way to incorporate discussion about those "good themes", and it won't take up the entire lunch time - so the kids will actually get some time to have their own "time off" while they eat. There are plenty of more creative ways to have quieter lunches with a Pre-K class. That said - Pre-K should not be expected to be quiet. These are young children - and they're in school all day. Teaching proper table manners are one thing, but you can't expect Pre-K lunch to be silent. I would try to talk to the teacher one more time and then go to the principal. Try to be as supportive and positive as possible while not giving up your position. Best of luck!

Hi M.,
I don't think that kiddie shows have a place in school. Kids should not be watching t.v. during lunch. Heck, my kids were not allowed to watch Barney ever, I didn't approve of the messages on the show. Sesame Street and Clifford are not religious shows, they are shows about community and values, but they don't belong to a particular religion. I don't think that television should be part of the curriculum, and if it's preschool, what do they need 6 hours for? That's a lot of time for preschool.
Nonetheless, I would bring your concern about mealtime (and schooltime) tv to the director not to the teacher. And I would share your concerns, I don't think that tv watching should be a part of the preschool curriculum. It sounds to me like they just want to keep the kids quiet during lunchtime

I read your previous responses & only one was from a teacher, and that's whose perspective you need to consider. I was not only a pre-school teacher, I later taught in a Catholic school. Unlike public schools, Catholic scools do not have the resources & luxuries of public school teachers. We only got ONE break a day & that was lunch, where in public schools, especially the higher grades they get at least 2-3 a day. That teacher talks about only showing movies after reading a novel, which leads me to conclude she taught older students & that is a whole different world from trying to teach 4 year olds! The kids probably eat lunch in the classroom, right? The teacher probably doesn't even get a break to use the bathroom, let alone to catch her breath. Plus, it is very tiring dealing with such young children for 6 hours straight! (think of how tired you are at the end of the day after entertaining your one child & multiply that by 20 or more!) It is probably her way of keeping the children settled for 20 minutes so she can choke her lunch down too. If they didn't have it, those children who finished first might get restless & rowdy. Would you rather have your daughter watching some educational TV or little boys fighting over the blocks? And at least the teacher discusses it so the lessons from those shows aren't totally lost & she tries to keep it educational. That is more than most parents do. Do I think there is something else that can be done instead of TV? Possibly, but only if the resources or personel are available. I agree w/ another posting that if you are so dead set against it then offer your services to go in & read stories & get other parents to do the same, the teacher may welcome the help!
If the school comes highly recommended, then they must be teaching & be very hands-on (which is important w/ this age), so that's good, that is what's important. Does it really matter what happens during a brief lunch period? Are you going to crucify the teacher for wanting a few moments of peace? It is probably her only chance to regroup before she works with the children for the rest of the day.

most likely they will not change their routine if only parent complains about it. my advice to you is take her back to goddard, my kids attended goddard in MD and it is the best place i have ever seen or had experience with. unless you're really in love with this place except for the lunchtime situation, i'd go back to goddard instantly
ps. my personal opinion is no TV during mealtimes.

Hmmm, I'm on the fence with this one. On one hand I completely agree with you. On the other, it's a treat for her, they do talk about them afterwards, so it's not a completely mind warping time. It helped to make what could have been a tough transition more manageable for her. It's maybe 25 minutes out of a day, not so bad, on the other hand there are worse things they could do or not do. I think I'd be watchful, if I noticed a negative change in my daughter (or son) then I would get adement about it, but if all else seems status quo, I think I would pick my battles. The school is highly recommened for a reason, I would try to focus on that. Every place is usually gonna have something we don't like. My son does both from time to time TV makes its way on during a meal, it's not always so bad as long as he eats. I guess I would also watch that, if she's not eating her lunch the distraction of the tv could be the reason, I would speak up. Good Luck.

Hi M.,
In my opinion, school is not a place to be watching TV, no matter if this is being done at lunch time. There is a time and place for everything.
Respectfully,
C. Cruz

First, I agree with you. You send your kids to pre-K to socialize and learn, not to watch TV. And you spend enough money to send them there. So I think you have two options.

1. If you're not oposed to being a rebel rouser, I would contact all of the parents in the class. If they feel the same way as you do, sign a petition and bring it to the principal.

or

2. Take your daughter out of the school.

Either way, I would let the principal at the school know why. You already met with the teacher and didn't get any satisfaction. Now, you need to bring it up to a higher level. At the end of the day, you are the customer. You are purchasing an education for your daughter. If you are unhappy with the product, you have a right to complain.